192 kB 21st Mar 2014 23rd March 2014

CATHOLIC PARISH OF OUR LADY AND ST GEORGE
132 Shernhall Street, Walthamstow E17 9HU
Tel: 020 8520 5877 Fax: 020 8520 4805
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.olsg.co.uk
Fr Maurice Gordon, Fr Mark Swires,
Fr Joseph Anthiamkulam (Syro-Malabar Chaplain)
Fr David Waller (Ordinariate Priest) (020 8554 3763)
Rev. Joseph Baffour-Awuah (Permanent Deacon)
Sr. Anne Marie (Pastoral Care)
Our Lady & St George’s Primary School:
Lower Site 8520 8500. Upper Site: 8520 3552
Holy Family Catholic College: 8520 0482/8520 3587
23rd March 2014
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
Thirst is a key theme in this week’s readings. In the First Reading, the Israelites, set free from
slavery in Egypt, are now in the desert and are very thirsty. They become hard-hearted and lose
faith that the God who set them free from slavery can also quench their thirst. Moses appeals to
God, who answers their prayers and provides water for them.
In today’s Gospel Jesus meets a Samaritan woman drawing water at a well. Jesus first asks her
for a drink – as if He were the one in need – and she begins to open up to Him. Jesus reveals
that she has had several husbands, and now lives with a man who is not her husband. Jesus
thus uncovers her real thirst: a thirst for acceptance and love. Despite her relationships with all
these men, she is still hurt and lonely. She is thirsting but the thirst is not being quenched by this
lifestyle. She has been looking for love in the wrong places.
In some way all of us can identify with this Samaritan woman. We all seek after things we think
will make us happy and fulfilled: money, power, pleasure, honour – but too often the pursuit of
these things leaves us frustrated and still thirsting for peace. We go back to these things again
and again, thinking that they will bring us happiness but we can soon find ourselves addicted to
them and still unhappy. A good thing to ask ourselves during Lent is, ‘what are the wells that I find
myself going back to continually?’ ‘What am I looking for, and like that Samaritan woman, am I
looking in the wrong places?’ Naming the addiction or obstacle is the first step towards dealing
with it: am I obsessed with possessions, or trying to control other people because I am not free
myself?
Jesus exposes the woman’s past not to condemn her, but to free her. Her weakness does not
repel Jesus – on the contrary, it seems to attract Him. He is patient, clear and kind. When he
speaks she perceives the condition of her soul and her need to change. He is gentle with her. Let
us take confidence from this! Jesus treats us in the same way. We can approach Him and expose
our weakness to Him, so as the divine physician He can heal us. We can encounter this healing
in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The woman did not deny her reality; she was
weak but did not try to say that evil was good – and so Jesus had a way to reach her, and begin
to heal her.
During our lives we may drink from many wells, pursuing many things that do not ultimately
satisfy us. But these wells soon run dry and we too become drained and dried up. Jesus offers us
living water, which brings us peace and always satisfies. This water is His life in us, which began
at Baptism. The Lord offers us His love, which is the only thing that will quench the thirst of our
souls. If we drink from this well, our hearts will be softened, and we will become life-giving for
others, and lead them to Him.
Fr Maurice
BAPTISMS: By appointment. Prior attendance to Baptism Course required. The next
course will take place on Monday 24th March at 7.30pm in the Church.
MARRIAGES: By appointment. Six months notice is required.
EXTRA LENTEN MASS: Every Friday during Lent there will be an extra Mass at 8.00am,
which will finish with enough time for young people to get to school afterwards. All
parents, school children and young people are invited to come.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: During Lent, Stations of the Cross will be on Friday
evenings at 6.30pm. The Ordinariate group will hold Stations of the Cross on Thursdays
at 8.00pm.
CATHOLICISM SERIES: During Lent we
are screening the Catholicism Series, a
ten-part documentary on the Catholic
faith. We journey with the host, Fr Robert Barron, to more than 50 locations throughout
16 countries. From the sacred lands of Israel to the beating heart of Uganda, from the
glorious shrines of Europe to the streets of Mexico, Kolkata and New York City, the
mysteries of Catholicism are revealed. Thank you to all who attended the first sessions,
this coming Wednesday’s episode will be on the Trinity. All are welcome. For more
information about this highly acclaimed documentary, visit www.catholicismseries.com.
LENTEN TALK NEXT WEEK: Next Sunday evening at 6pm in the Parish Hall, Fr Jim
McManus CSsR will be giving the first of our Lenten talks on ‘Healing in the Family.’ Fr
Jim is the Rector of the Redemptorist Centre of Spirituality in Perth, Scotland, and has
been involved in healing ministry for 30 years.
The second Lenten talk will take place on Sunday 6th April – Fiona Mansford, Director of
Youth 2000, a Catholic youth ministry organization, will speak on the Theology of the
Body, the teaching of Pope John Paul II about the human person and human sexuality.
All are invited to attend, and parents are especially encouraged to come along.
CHRISM MASS: The annual Chrism Mass at Brentwood Cathedral will take place on
Wednesday 16th April at 7.00pm. A coach will depart from the Church at 5.30pm. A list to
sign up for a seat is in the porch. A donation of £5 to cover transport costs is requested,
which will be collected on the day.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE (CONFESSIONS): The Lenten Reconciliation service will
take place on Tuesday 15th April at 7.30pm, and a number of visiting priests will be
available to hear confessions. Priests are also available for confessions every Saturday,
10.30-11am and 5.15-5.45pm, or on request. It is a very good to avail of this Sacrament
during Lent. If you need help preparing, there are guides available in the Church porch.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: The Parish recently
commissioned 12 new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, to assist with the
distribution of Communion at Masses, and to take the Eucharist to the sick and
housebound. Congratulations to: Ana Marie Puzon, Shynamma Roy, Nelly TublePortalibre, Gabriel Turay, Stella Turay, Daisy James, Conrad Almeida, Felistas Nanfuka,
John Walsh and Sherine Savery-Morel.
RCIA RITE OF ELECTION: On the First Sunday of Lent four people on the RCIA
programme went to Brentwood Cathedral for the Rite of Election and to meet Bishop
Thomas. This is an important stage in their full reception into the Catholic Church and
preparation for the Sacraments. We congratulate Emma-Jane Torr, Lloyd Lewzey,
Natalie Bailey and Kristina Klimasauskaite.
CONFIRMATION 2014: This Sunday 23rd March, the Confirmation group are going to
Brentwood Cathedral to meet Bishop Thomas, after the 12 noon Mass. Please keep the
young people in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
in June.
CHRISTIAN KITCHEN: The Christian Kitchen needs your support to continue their work
in helping the homeless and vulnerable in our community. There was a recent battle in
the High Court against Waltham Forest Council to keep the service running, and a
decision is expected soon. Find out more on the Christian Kitchen’s Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/ChristianKitchenWF. You might also like to sign an online petition
in support (http://tinyurl.com/pndryns). Follow latest developments on the Kitchen’s twitter
feed, @ChristianKitchn.
HCPT 161 BINGO NIGHT: Next Saturday 29th March at 7.00pm in the Parish Hall. Enjoy
a traditional family night out, with good company, good fun, and help send a child to
Lourdes.
GIFT AID: Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows the parish to reclaim tax on all
donations made. If you are not currently enrolled in the Gift Aid scheme, please pick up a
Gift Aid form from the back of the Church. For further information, please contact Hana
on 07939 485957. Many thanks.
OUR LADY & ST GEORGE NURSERY: Reminder for parents of children born between
1/9/2010 and 31/8/2011 that the closing date for Nursery Admissions to Our Lady & St
George Catholic Primary School is Wednesday 26th March 2013. Please return all
completed forms to the Lower Site School office.
THE BILLERICAY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP invite you to a day of devotion to the
Divine Mercy at Abbotswick, Diocesan House of Prayer 27th April. Arrival 10.30
for 11.00 a.m. start - Confession available. MASS 3.30 p.m. Ring Claire Wallis 01277
658783 for details. All welcome.
VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR YOUNG WOMEN (20s and 30s) Theme: Discerning
God's Call in my life. Dates: 23rd - 25th May 2014 Location: Broadstairs, Kent. The
weekend is organised by the sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). There will be
input from the FCJ sisters on different aspects of vowed life, and time for prayer,
reflection and discussion with other young women who are also considering a vocation to
religious life. It's an opportunity to live community life for a weekend and meet some
sisters! For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at [email protected] or visit our
website www.fcjsisters.org
ROTAS – MARCH
Counting:
Hospital:
Christian Kitchen
2/3 B
9/3 C
2/3 A
9/3 B
1/3 Nor 8/3 G
16/3 D
16/3 D
15/3 A
23/3 A
23/3 A
22/3 B
Offertory collection for 16th March was £1483.14
Thank you very much for your generosity.
30/3 E
30/3 B
29/3 C
Mass times and intentions at Our Lady and St. George
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
6.00pm
Sun 23rd March
8.30am
10.00am
12.00pm
6.30pm
Mon 24th March
7.00am
9.15am
Tue 25th March
7.00am
9.15am
Wed 26th March
7.00am
9.15am
Thu 27th March
7.00am
9.15am
Fri 28th March
7.00am
8.00am
9.15am
Sat 29th March
10.00am
6.00pm
Sun 30th March
8.30am
10.00am
12.00pm
6.30pm
Catherine Murnane (RIP)
Third Sunday of Lent
Andy Kavanagh (RIP)
Parish
Miriam Charlotte Pierre (RIP)
[Ordinariate Mass]
Lenten Weekday
Mary Monahan (Ints)
Theresa Rowley (RIP)
The Annunciation of the Lord
Thanksgiving
Marrai Family (Ints)
Lenten Weekday
Deceased members of the Marrai family
John Molloy (RIP)
Lenten Weekday
Diana Christina Mellaries (RIP)
Cathy Lee (RIP)
Lenten Weekday
William Whitney (RIP)
George Cornish (RIP)
Maria Reiser (RIP)
Lenten Weekday
Della Rodrigues (RIP) & Darren Rodrigues (Ints)
Sheila & Bernard Moss (RIP)
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Parish
Jan Wtadystaw Salamonowicz (RIP)
Bridget Walsh (RIP)
[Ordinariate Mass]
We pray for those in our parish community who are ill:
Christoper Browne, Rose Dennehy, Carol Hogermeer, Brian Keane, Ignatius Keane,
Tony McCarthy, Rose O’Neill, Andrea Roberts, Promise Shinondo, Victoria Wyndham,
Christine Conway, Nora Meades, Veronica Nolan, Mr & Mrs Charles, Maureen Bee, Denis Collins,
Esperanza Buenaventura, Joyce Ross, Christine Raymond, Jacky Boyrow, Thelma Lewis, Tasmin
Sparks, Eileen Karim, Sandra Gibson, Angelina Hoareau, Archie Garrod, Gilda Baptiste, Margaret
Messenger, Martin Keane, Muriel Chetty, Masangela Tardioli, Alix Charlery, Natalie Rosario,
Ronald Rolle. Bridie Lacon, Peter Ikuptati. Mercy Fernando, Veronica Godsave, Mary and Anthony
O’Boyle, Oliver Gaynor, Marjorie Singh, Gunanesan Singarajah, Joan Beirne, Bill Walsh, Margaret
Perry, Bridget Lyons, Kristina Klimasauskaite, Philomena Spranklen, Jeffrey Mitchell, Mary
Akinkuolie, Michelle Boyle, Carla Cornelius, Cecelia Gibbs, Arthur Gibbs, Ural Gibbs, Gilbert Gibbs,
Augustina Osei, Archie, George & Issac, Boyce Chandasingh.
Morning Prayer:
Rosary:
Adoration & Exposition:
Reconciliation (Confessions):
Mon-Fri: 9.00am. Sat. 9.45 am
Weekdays after morning Mass
Mon – Fri: 7.30am-8.30am and at the following times:
Mon: 10.00am – 7.00pm Weds: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Fri: 9.45am – 10.45am, Sat: 10.30am-11.30am
Sat. 10.30am – 11.00am. 5.00pm – 5.30pm (Or on request)

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